Nurtured Grove

'The mud will wash off, but the memories will last a lifetime'
What a joy it is to see children get messy and muddy and be unafraid if getting well and truly stuck in!
Using things that every household has, a world class restaurant can be created, a castle fit for a king can be built, a potion ready to turn you into anything can be developed. Children thrive from mixing things together, watching the cause and effect and enjoying the sight, sound and smell of such creations.
I've said it before and I'll say it again... let the children play!!

The simplicity of playing shops! Play money, a bunch of random stuff and a note book made for a good, focused hour or fun, whilst working on Maths, Literacy and Understanding of the World 😊

-Writing shopping lists
-Writing price tags
-Counting up money
-Figuring out price differences/change.
-Role playing
-Mathematical language

Just some of the learning that goes on..easier than formal 'let's sit and do some maths' 🥰

A poem I've used inside our 'Fathers' day cards in the past 😊 I've always been aware that everyone's situation is different so wanted something that could be sent to anyone who the child/ren felt were important to them 😊
Feel free to use 😊

'I've been asked to think of someone,
Who means a lot to me,
Someone who knows and loves me
And supports who I could be.
So I thought of lots of people,
But I found I stopped at you.
Because I'm really grateful
For all the things you do.
You help me feel happy,
And you're there to hold my hand,
Its nice to know I have you there
To guide and understand.
So as we share this special day
And do the things we do
Remember: when I stopped to think,
I stopped my thoughts at YOU!'

(Karen Nurtured Grove)

Fire building is something I've done with children for a long time. It's such a fun thing that many children don't get to experience.
I've worked in schools and nurseries that deem the risk too high, and the learning too little. I disagree!
This is such a teachable moment...children get to realise the importance of listening, of being safe, not to mention the science behind it all.
Starting off with building the pit, making bunches of kindling and using splints to starting the flame to finding and wittling sticks to toast marshmallows and importantly, remembering to put the fire out safely!
Give it a try! Let the learning commence! 🔥

Water play... one of those activities that never grows old! After school today I suggested washing the car together... they jumped to it! Because for my kids, water play is fun! It's something they've always done whether it be a splash as a baby, a bubble blowing activity as a toddler or a car wash in the summer! Here are some skills from washing the car, that any aged children can do:
-Whole body movement skills such as balance and bilateral co-ordination.i don't know about you but every car wash we say 'wax on, wax off'
-Sensory exploration
-Fine motor development particularly strengthening those little hand muscles
-Hand/eye co-ordination.
And most importantly FUN FAMILY TIME!

I've spent time recently thinking about what activities I could do with my own children in the evenings. My husband and I work full time and our youngest goes to after school club. Sometimes that parenting guilt kicks in yet, it's hard to find the energy to do something with her (and the older 2) to keep them busy.
But then I went back to basics. I remembered that 99% of the time, children don't mind what they are doing, but the fact that they are doing it with you is what is important.
So over the past few weeks, we've been in the kitchen more, doing the jobs that already need doing, but doing them together. They learn life skills, but also have fun. And I get to hear all about their day whilst not watching the clock until it's time to cook. It's a win win! Also, we make sure to have a mix of main meals and deserts so that the skills vary 😊

S'mores... the child friendly way 🥰
I've found over the years that this is much safer for children and encourages them to brave fire in a fun way!
Fire doesn't have to be scary, it can be fun and be part of memories that will last a lifetime 🥰

I'm a huge believer in linking school learning and home learning together as much as we can (without making it boring). Evie (aged 7) has been learning about the Anglo-Saxons at school and so she was very eager to bake some of the snacks she had learnt was associated with them.
She did this with adult supervision but independently...and loved every minute (and bite) of it.
After first making a shopping list and buying all the ingredients, she confidently and safely used the frying pan, and weighed and measured all the ingredients herself. Yes there was mess, and yes she had a million questions. But the results of confidence building, following step by step instructions, concentration and making and learning from mistakes, are what makes it all worth while🥰 #

A really interesting read on the BBC today 😊
I'd be interested in your thoughts 😊

What is the best age to learn to read? Children as young as four years old learn to read and write in some countries, while elsewhere they don't start until seven. What's the best formula for lasting success?

Play: unstructured, unplanned, and with the outlook of a child.
A recipe for success 🥰
We were lucky enough to get snow recently so by 8am we had ventured outside. Different weather teaches different things, from dressing appropriately to how things freeze/melt. Not every child gets to experience this so seize the moments... and capture their enjoyment 🥰